Overview: - Although Canon has designed many flash units of various power levels
and in their various form (shoe mount, bracket/handle flash) which were more specific
to normal picture taking situations, but when taking photographs at close-ups, ordinary
flash units usually performs miserably in getting proper exposures. A typical result
is they are simply too powerful and often overexpose (even at their lowest power
output settings). For close-up and macro photography, you can go for alternate Macro
Ring Lites ("lites" is a term Canon uses to distinguishing their own flash
units, others like Nikon termed their flash as "speedlights").

" ... I have
loads of images taken with EOS-1/ EOS-1N cameras - though mostly with Tamron 20-75/XR
DI and Sigma 90/2,8 Macro lenses. Also I have some taken with the Kodak pro DCS520/
D2000 (i.e. the digital EOS-1N). I am a Swedish citizen so my pictures are rather
different from most you have on your site. ....."
.

The first series of these flash for
macro photography is the Macro Ring Lite ML-1 set. It is an auto flash with two small
flash heads located on either side of a mounting ring which attaches to the front
of the lens. This typical design was used by most manufacturers back in those days
(like the Olympus,
Minoltas etc. but Nikon has quite a different concept those days ('70) with two types
of flash designs, one with a circular ring flash (SM1/SM2)
and a lens that has a built in auto flash for the Medical Nikkor). Anyway, the Canon ML-1 unit connects to the second part which is
a small control box which mounts in the camera's flash shoe. The setup requires a
separate power pack which can hold 8 x AA cells in either alkaline or NiCd. Ring
Lite ML-1 does not offered TTL flash control but only limits to auto flash at its
best and exposure calculation at close distance often requires user to compute exposure
based on lens extension.

The Macrolite ML-1 was an electronic flash system designed especially for close-ups
with many older Canon cameras and lenses in the A and T series. It uses two symmetrical
flash tubes which may be fired simultaneously or individually to create different
effects. It also may be used with some lenses such as Canon FD 80-200 mm f/4 zoom
lens, with the FD 50 mm f/3.5 or FD 100 mm f /4 Macro lenses which is especially
useful in medical or dental photography.

ML-1 Set was Canon's only offering
until debut of the Canon T90 where the system has upgraded the ML-1 with the newer
Macro Ring Lite ML-2. Appearance of the ML-2 has changed the form from the earlier
twin lights one a side design to a circular ring light design. It comes with a round
front section which attaches to the lens and contains two arc-shaped flash tubes.
It also comes with a separate battery storage as well as control module which mounts
onto the camera's hot-shoe. However, one big difference between the ML-1 and ML2
is, the latter provides full TTL flash control for easy close-ups at any magnification.
However, since the Canon T90 was the only Canon SLR camera with the A & T series
models that capable of providing TTL flash exposure control, the ML-2 set was more
like tailored for the T90 although it is usable with other Canon SLRs in auto/manual
flash control for macro-photography.

The Macro Ring Lite ML-2 is an automatic, TTL flash unit for close-up photography.
On its right and left sides are separate flash tubes, which can be fired together
or independently for extra lighting versatility. The ML-2 is also equipped with both
a low-intensity focusing lamp, for focusing in the dark, and a modeling light, to
check where shadow will fall.

Technical Specification: -
Type: Energy-saving flash unit with TTL series control circuit, Clip-on type
with direct contacts and lock.
Guide Numbers: (ISO 100, feet) 36 in Manual Hi mode; 18 in Manual Lo mode.Flash Control System: TTL control system: i.e., the sensor inside the camera
body measures the light which passes through the lens and which is reflected from
the film plane. When the subject has received the proper amount of I light, the flash
output is automatically cut off. Fill-in flash is possible.
Pilot Lamp (red):Glows when flash is sufficiently charged. As soon
as it glows, the camera automatically switches to flash circuit. Starts blinking
when flash is fully charged. Also serves as the modeling light.Auto Check Lamp (green): Glows for approx. 2 sec. after actual firing of flash when
subject is correctly exposed in the TTL AUTO mode.Focusing Lamp: By pressing the focusing lamp, two small lamps between the
two main flash tubes light up for approx. 30 sec.
Modeling Light: By pressing the pilot lamp, the two main flash tubes flash on
and off for approx. 5 sec. Only one tube can be flashed on and off by illumination
changeover switch.
Flash Head: Two main flash tubes are used on left and right sides. One tube flash
is possible by illumination changeover switch. Attached to lens by lens filter thread
or through exclusive adapters.
Save-Energy Function: Operates by setting the main switch to "SE" position.
When the main switch is left ON and the flash is not used for approx. 5 minutes,
power to the flash unit is automatically cut off.Film Speed: Film speed set on the T90 is automatically transmitted to flash.Power Source: 4 x "AA" size Alkaline or Ni-Cd batteriesDimensions: Control Unit - 2-15/16 x 2-3/8 x 4-3/16 in. Flash Unit
- 4 x4-3/4 x 13/16 in.Weight: Control Unit - 8-5/16 oz. Flash Unit - 4-9/16 oz.

When Canon diverted the FD system
to the EOS, the ringlight has also been upgraded as Macro Ring Lite ML-3. Physically
the Canon macro flash upgrade looks similar to earlier model, but it was now designed
to accept adapter for mounting it onto EOS lenses. Although specifically designed
for the EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Mac and EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro lenses can be used with
some other EF lenses for lesser magnifications.

Macro Ring
Lite ML-3 Set

Designed for use with Canon EOS models, the ML-3 macro ring lite flash provides
totally automatic through-the-lens flash metering for perfectly exposed close-ups.
Combined with the autofocus operation of the EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro, close-up
flash photography has been made extremely easy. Automatic fill-in flash is also possible
with the ML-3. The focusing lamp function allows for precise visualization of the
image before exposure. The ML-3 may be used in shutter priority, aperture priority,
program AE and manual modes with most Canon EOS models, which includes older EOS
650, 630, 620 etc. as well as newer series EOS cameras.

In fact, ML-3 can also be used with the FD-mount Canon T90 and FD Macro Lenses (50mm
f3.5 & FD 100mm f4.0 MACRO) via Macrolite Adapters 52C or 58C for total TTL flash
control. All functions of the ML-3 are effective when used with the T90. Canon recommends
the use of Aperture Priority or Stop Down AE mode when uses the ML-3 with EOS cameras
although Shutter Priority AE and Program AE mode can be used. Depth of Field AE will
be automatically switches to Program AE as DOF mode is not workable in flash mode.
Similar to any flash photography, make sure the camera model is set within the maximum
sync speed for that particular model.

Multiple flash is also possible with
combination of Speedlite 480EG, 420EZ, 430EZ, 300EZ or 540 EZ. However, A-TTL is
not always working, normal TTL is safer. The number of connecting cord must be within
a combined length less than 29ft.

Canon Macro
Ring Lite MR-14EX
As at 2006. Canon has two macrolites in their product line. The MR-14EX ring flash
as well as a twin heads, Canon MT-24EX which remained as the current model
for the EOS camera. Although it is more specifically designed for the newer series
of EOS film/digital SLRs with a host of features (including wireless setup) added
but Canon maintains some form of backward compatibility with older EOS models, except
of cause, E-TTL is not possible when works in such a combination. The MR-14EX consists of
two semicircular flash tubes capable of fine flash ratio lighting control between
left and right tube (and the ability to flash either or both tubes), for natural
looking reproduction. Equipped with a wireless transmitter function, when the MR-14EX
is employed as the master flash unit with one or more slave unit Speedlite 550EX
for back lighting or accent lighting, wireless multiple auto flash-controlled shooting
can be simply performed to great effect. The MR- 14EX also features: - Maximum guide
No. 14/46.2 (at ISO 100 in meters/feet) - Minimum control distance - 20 min from
the front of the flash unit - E-TTL wireless auto flash - Manual flash - High-speed
sync (FP flash) - FEB - E-TTL wireless multiple auto flash (with lighting control)
- Modeling flash, etc.

The Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 When connected to the EOS-1V, the Speedlite
Transmitter ST-E2 enables E-TTL wireless multiple auto flash control of the flash
output ratio of up to two different 550EX slave groups over an operating distance
of from 12-15 m (39 - 49 ft.) indoors.

Transistor Pack E Set *Battery magazine
Pre-shoot preparation of several magazines stocked with new batteries ensures hassle
free in long session flash photography when a large number of shots are to be taken.
Consists of Battery Magazine TP and Connecting Code ET, and holds six A-size batteries.Transistor Pack E Set *Ni-Cd pack This set consists of a more cost
efficient rechargeable Ni-Cd pack TP, Ni-Cd charger TP and Connecting Code ET. Recharging
takes approximately 15 hours.Compact Battery Pack CP-E2 This pocket-size, lightweight external battery
holds six AA batteries and has a convenient tripod socket. This is useful when shooting
at remote places when other options of power source is not easily accessible.

Canon Macro
Twin Lite MT-24EX w/E-TTL

The Macro Twin Lite is different
from the Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX as it uses a twin heads design, something
like the first generation Canon ML-1 (top of this page). Except the flash head is
moveable and in terms of performance and capabilities, it makes a world of difference.
I am not sure why is the change but probably Canon thinks they need to provide users
with an alternative rather than a flat evenly distributed flash light for serious
close-up, nature, and macro photography as twin heads may able able to permit user
with a control over light ratio for modeling light and other TTL flash manipulation
of visual effect.

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their continual effort in supporting development of this EOS/EF website.Others: All
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